This historical fiction novel follows Tibb Ingleby, a sharp-tongued vagabond wandering Tudor England after her mother’s death in a scheme gone wrong. Gathering a motley crew of outcasts, she sets in motion a daring deception that swells beyond her control, bringing both fortune-seekers and dangerous foes.
Our comments included:
- I loved it! (x4). It’s a refreshing interpretation of Tudor times.
- I wasn’t quite sure I was going to like it at the beginning.
- An unusual book, based on a recorded historical event; there was a holy maid of Leominster, who claimed to survive solely on communion bread, and Margaret Beaufort was a historic figure.
- You could feel the fear and despair of living in Tudor England.
- Tibb’s character was lovable, even if you didn’t agree with what she was doing. I thought the characterisation was good, I was rooting for Tibb and all her misfit friends.
- Parts of the story are grim, though told with humour. It’s good to have a happy ending.
- I wasn’t sure which way the plot was going to go and found the book a page-turner.
- I liked the stylised hyphenated word play (e.g. “big-man-God”, “place-called-church”) and became used to the author’s way of writing.
- I didn’t like the language, felt the hyphenated words and swearing overused and irritating, and found this tedious.
- When Tibb was being held prisoner and forced to wear the wings, I decided I didn’t want to read any more.
- I don’t ever read historical novels, so this book has broadened my reading repertoire.
- Scam artists have been around for ever!
Marks out of ten (though we’d be selective in which of our contacts we might recommend this book to): 4, 5, 7 (x2), 8 (x5), 9 (x2)